News wake-up call

The ABC affiliate is the last of the big S.A. three to expand its local morning news program to two hours. Starting Jan. 2, “Good Morning San Antonio” will run from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. instead of starting at its current time of 5:30 a.m.

That also means the anchor team of Mark Austin and Nancy Gonzalez will have to set their alarm clocks earlier. Groan. My condolences, guys . . .

“With more and more South Texas residents commuting to work, fighting major traffic jams due to construction, and wild South Texas weather, we felt it was time go on the air earlier,” explained Jim Boyle, vice-president of KSAT news.

KENS and WOAI already have two-hour programs beginning at 5 a.m. KENS also does a 7 p.m.a.m. hour that incorporates some of CBS’ Early Show, but mainly consists of local fare.

The newest affiliate to enter the morning news game is KABB, which also presents three hours of local news and features. Anchored by Kimberley Crawford and Ernie Zuniga, “Fox 29 News First” airs from 6 to 9 a.m.